Staff Pick

Mo Willems will soon be recognized as the prodigious force that drove adults back to picture books, yet kids will love Leonardo as much as adults. The striking palette and artful design showcase Willems's talent as a gifted artist and storyteller. Plus, his not-so-terrible monster stole my heart. Recommended by Michal D., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Leonardo is truly a terrible monster — terrible at being a monster, that is.

Despite his best efforts, he can't seem to frighten anyone. But when he discovers the perfect nervous little boy, will he finally scare the tuna salad out of him?

Or will he think of something even better?

Review:

"Picture books commonly suggest that monsters, like certain bullies, are insecure and make marvelous playmates. Pint-size Leonardo, a case in point, is 'a terrible monster' because 'he couldn't scare anyone.' As he roars, two people exchange patronizing smiles, and a circus-style, curly-serif typeface implies silly humor rather than danger. Like a Muppet, Leonardo is knee-high with olive-drab fur, a monkey's tail, a pink nose and tiny white horns. 'He didn't have 1,642 teeth, like Tony,' a six-mouthed purple guy (a footnote explains, 'Not all teeth shown'), and 'he wasn't big, like Eleanor,' whose clawed feet (one sporting a pearl ankle bracelet) barely fit in the spread. Leonardo decides to pick on someone his own size, but when he successfully startles a moping boy, the child begins to wail about a broken toy in inch-tall italics that fill two pages. Leonardo decides that 'instead of being a terrible monster, he would become a wonderful friend,' and dispenses a consoling hug. Willems's (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!) finale feels apt but syrupy; Leonardo's decision to be nice seems homiletic. Yet this is an appealing book, sketched in dark brown against grayish pastel backdrops, with evergreen lettering and highlighted key words. Leonardo accurately mimics a child's frustration at not being taken seriously; Willems suggests trying kindness to get attention. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"[Leonardo's] antics to produce a scare will have youngsters laughing, while the asterisk next to the number of monster Tony's teeth (*note: not all teeth shown) will have grown-ups chuckling, too. A surefire hit." School Library Journal (Starred Review)

Review:

"[A] simple message-driven story, elevated by a smart, striking design....A winner for story hours, with plenty of discussion possibilities." Booklist

Review:

"[S]weetly original....The highly predictable ending is made fresh by the superb control of pacing, just-zany-enough sense of humor and body language readers have come to expect from the creator of Pigeon and Knufflebunny....Bravo!" Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

Leonardo is truly a terrible monster — terrible at "being a monster." Despite his best efforts, he can't seem to frighten anyone, but when he discovers the perfect nervous little boy, can he finally be scary? Full color.

Synopsis:

Another hilarious, over-the-top take on a universal childhood issue from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winner Josh Schneider, this full color 32-page picture book offers a fresh and reassuring look at nighttime fears.

Synopsis:

Fans of Oliver Jeffers will love this wondrous and playful story of an ordinary boy who becomes a hero

Shy, quiet Zig is trapped inside on a gray, rainy day when he sees a bright red umbrella blow by. He grabs the handle and--woosh!--off he goes to a faraway land where he meets a little yellow bird who desperately needs his help. Can Zig and his magic umbrella save the birds from the hairiest, scariest monster around?

Whimsical drawings full of glorious colors accompany minimal text in this tale of bravery, creativity, and friendship. Perfect for fans of Oliver Jeffers and Peter McCarty, this book will inspire kids to tell their own stories with pictures.

Synopsis:

Creaking . . . Squeaking . . .and#160;Gnashing . . . Glinking . . .

Under the bed, deep in the closet, behind the radiator . . . the bedtime monsters are stirring, and poor Arnold is too scared to fall asleep. Heand#8217;s powerless to get rid of themand#8212;and they don't seem to be more scared of him than he is of them, no matter what his mother says.and#160;But even the most terrible, horrible monster has to be afraid of something, as Arnold eventually finds out in this empowering tale of harnessing the imagination andand#160;conquering nighttime fears.

About the Author

Mo Willems won six Emmy Awards for his writing on Sesame Street. A renowned animator, he is the creator of two Caldecott Honor winners: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, as well as The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!; Time to Say "Please"!; and Time to Pee! Mo lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 1 comment:

bibliobethica, September 10, 2006 (view all comments by bibliobethica)
Can a monster be terrible if he's not fierce? Leonardo can't scare anyone, so he finds the smallest boy and tries to scare him. However, Leonardo decides that being a good friend is what being a good monster is all about. I love this book for it's simple color design (reminds me of Caps for Sale) and the message about friendship. In typical Mo Willems fashion, this book will have adults and children alike wanting to read and reread this story. My three boys keep having me check this book out from the library, so I finally decided to buy it. I love it as much as they do!

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(5 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)

Mo Willems will soon be recognized as the prodigious force that drove adults back to picture books, yet kids will love Leonardo as much as adults. The striking palette and artful design showcase Willems's talent as a gifted artist and storyteller. Plus, his not-so-terrible monster stole my heart.

by Michal D.

"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"Picture books commonly suggest that monsters, like certain bullies, are insecure and make marvelous playmates. Pint-size Leonardo, a case in point, is 'a terrible monster' because 'he couldn't scare anyone.' As he roars, two people exchange patronizing smiles, and a circus-style, curly-serif typeface implies silly humor rather than danger. Like a Muppet, Leonardo is knee-high with olive-drab fur, a monkey's tail, a pink nose and tiny white horns. 'He didn't have 1,642 teeth, like Tony,' a six-mouthed purple guy (a footnote explains, 'Not all teeth shown'), and 'he wasn't big, like Eleanor,' whose clawed feet (one sporting a pearl ankle bracelet) barely fit in the spread. Leonardo decides to pick on someone his own size, but when he successfully startles a moping boy, the child begins to wail about a broken toy in inch-tall italics that fill two pages. Leonardo decides that 'instead of being a terrible monster, he would become a wonderful friend,' and dispenses a consoling hug. Willems's (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!) finale feels apt but syrupy; Leonardo's decision to be nice seems homiletic. Yet this is an appealing book, sketched in dark brown against grayish pastel backdrops, with evergreen lettering and highlighted key words. Leonardo accurately mimics a child's frustration at not being taken seriously; Willems suggests trying kindness to get attention. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Review"
by School Library Journal (Starred Review),
"[Leonardo's] antics to produce a scare will have youngsters laughing, while the asterisk next to the number of monster Tony's teeth (*note: not all teeth shown) will have grown-ups chuckling, too. A surefire hit."

"Review"
by Booklist,
"[A] simple message-driven story, elevated by a smart, striking design....A winner for story hours, with plenty of discussion possibilities."

"Review"
by Kirkus Reviews,
"[S]weetly original....The highly predictable ending is made fresh by the superb control of pacing, just-zany-enough sense of humor and body language readers have come to expect from the creator of Pigeon and Knufflebunny....Bravo!"

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
Leonardo is truly a terrible monster — terrible at "being a monster." Despite his best efforts, he can't seem to frighten anyone, but when he discovers the perfect nervous little boy, can he finally be scary? Full color.

"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,

Another hilarious, over-the-top take on a universal childhood issue from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winner Josh Schneider, this full color 32-page picture book offers a fresh and reassuring look at nighttime fears.

"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,

Fans of Oliver Jeffers will love this wondrous and playful story of an ordinary boy who becomes a hero

Shy, quiet Zig is trapped inside on a gray, rainy day when he sees a bright red umbrella blow by. He grabs the handle and--woosh!--off he goes to a faraway land where he meets a little yellow bird who desperately needs his help. Can Zig and his magic umbrella save the birds from the hairiest, scariest monster around?

Whimsical drawings full of glorious colors accompany minimal text in this tale of bravery, creativity, and friendship. Perfect for fans of Oliver Jeffers and Peter McCarty, this book will inspire kids to tell their own stories with pictures.

"Synopsis"
by Firebrand,

Creaking . . . Squeaking . . .and#160;Gnashing . . . Glinking . . .

Under the bed, deep in the closet, behind the radiator . . . the bedtime monsters are stirring, and poor Arnold is too scared to fall asleep. Heand#8217;s powerless to get rid of themand#8212;and they don't seem to be more scared of him than he is of them, no matter what his mother says.and#160;But even the most terrible, horrible monster has to be afraid of something, as Arnold eventually finds out in this empowering tale of harnessing the imagination andand#160;conquering nighttime fears.

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